On October 1, 2020, Ontario announced that it had implemented temporary wage increases for personal support workers (PSWs) and direct support workers who deliver publicly funded support services. The temporary wage increases took effect on the day of the announcement and will be reviewed on a regular basis, with the possibility that they may continue until March 31, 2020, in connection with regulations made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 [Reopening Ontario Act].
The wage increases are based on sector. Eligible PSWs and direct support workers will be entitled to an increase of:
- $3 per hour if they work in home and community care;
- $3 if they work in long-term care;
- $3 if they work in children, community and social services providing personal direct support services for the activities of daily living; and
- $2 if they work in public hospitals.
These wage increases will be a welcome aid for eligible workers and their employers. According to Premier Doug Ford’s announcement, the increases aim to reflect the “critical role” PSWs and direct support workers have played in providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, employers may see a morale boost among eligible workers. Where employers have struggled with staffing shortages, the raises may additionally help to encourage greater attendance.
Conversely, employers operating care settings in which the raises do not apply—most notably retirement homes—may encounter some difficulty with regard to maintaining steady staffing of PSWs and direct support workers. Such staff may depart to work in eligible workplaces, given that under current regulations to the Reopening Ontario Act, employees of retirement homes and long-term care homes are disallowed from working in multiple health care settings.
As always, we will monitor the progression of these developments and post further updates as they become available to keep you In the Know.
This blog is provided as an information service and summary of workplace legal issues.
This information is not intended as legal advice.